Johnathan Fleig Tonight at Hopkins Icehouse [VIDEO]

Johnathan Fleig will be performing live At Hopkins Icehouse in downtown Texarkana this Friday.

Johnathan calls his music an eclectic mix of Eddie Vedder, Blind Melon, Grateful Dead, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Johnny Cash.

Recording artist, producer, engineer and owner of Planet Paul Recording studios was asked, "what would say about Jonathan Fleig?" This was his response:

When I was young, long ago, there were folks we called musicians.

They strummed guitars and played horns and pianos and banged drums and sang. They'd use most anything that could make a rythm, harmony or melody. It didn't much matter as long as it vibrated and moved that air. The music must come forth. The vibration inside must be released. Freed through the instrument to move that air. It just had to -- everyday. Food, water, shelter and music, not necessarily in that order. Serve the song.

But that was long ago and times have changed. The musician in the wild is a rare thing these days. The environment and climate have been altered to the point that survival of the musician is difficult at best. Most are confined to various types of cages or have simply vanished. People don't seem too concerned about it. I guess you can't miss what you never knew. Computers are cheap and don't need room and board.

So, it's a special thing for me when I stumble acrosss one who still runs free. Sustaining himself on music. Foresaking known paths of much greater ease. Making the sacrifice. Knowing the game's plum crooked but playing anyway. Serving the song.

Jonathan Fleig is one such musician. For the past decade, he has traveled in service of the song. From Kansas to California, Oregon to Arizona, he has moved that air. People are starting to notice.

Check out the great food at Hopkins Icehouse, like the 'Hot Chick' pizza with Gorgonzola cream sauce topped with chicken, mozzarella, and drizzled with hot sauce. Or if you are a sandwich lover try the 'Hawaiian' sandwich with smoked turkey, ham, smoked provolone, red onion, cucumber with a pineapple jalapeno mayo, panini style on a hoagie roll.

Hopkins Icehouse is located downtown Texarkana at 3rd and Wood.